Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-03-25

But the agriculture of this country does
not share equally with our manufactures i'll
the direct benefits of the tariff, and in tins
fact alone | find ample justification for the
passage of this bill, which, it will be observ-
ed, does not grant direct pecuniary aid u
agriculture, but still materially assists 1t by
furnishing the necessary information where
by the farmer may the better act his part,
make fewer mistakes. and suffer less impO-
sition, especially in the purchase and appli
cation of commercial fertilizers
Gen. Circuit then proceeded To examine
| the second section of the bill. which pro
/ vides for experiments in the physiology OF
| plants and animals, studies of rotative crop
| ping, capacity of plants and trees for acch-
nation, analyses of soils, water and natural
and artificial manures composition and di-
gestibility of foods of animals economic
questions involved in the production of but
ter and cheese, etc. He showed that sec
ton D requires duplicates of reports to be
furnished to the press so that the whole
public can have the benefit of those of gen
eral interest, and he contended that the APP
preparation of $4,000 a year TO each state
and territory for these experiments was
proper use of money, for the entire public
is interested to have farming succeed, and
the farmers are entitled to this aid, and the
government will profit by it. In 1880, -
said he, THE total export of domestic pro
auctions from the United States was 1923,
GAG, 3j3, of which the products of the farm
were $3.50, 96l ,O9l-or SO. % per cent of the
whole amount. Think of that moment,
More than four-fifths of all we sell TO for
eign countries is the product of agricul
ture and remember that as with the indi-
vidual, so 1t is with us as nation-we are
richer, not 10y what we produce and our
selves consume, but by what we sell To the
other nations of the earth. Surely, in an
economic point of view alone, it must be
for the interest of the American people TO
foster and keep thrifty an industry which
enables us in our trade with the world to
keep balance constantly in our favor.
Gen. Grout concluded his speech as fol
lows
Mr.. Speaker this is one of the most
important measures, if not the most impor-
tant, which has engaged the attention of
this Congress. 1t takes by the forelock the
problem which is now perplexing the older
nations of the earth and which sooner or
later will be brought home to the American
people namely How 10 subsist a dense
population upon land that has been a long
time cropped. 1t will not be forgotten that
1 population Is a prime element Of empire,
but with population comes always the prob
{ lem of food and raiment and shelter. And
that legislation is wisest and best which
, deals with these questions fundamentally
and in a way 10 prevent threatening dan
gers rather than to wait till those dangers
: ripen. The experiment station, assisted 10y
S chemistry the handmade of agriculture, il
I looking into the hidden processes of nature
. which work 1t is set To do, can hardly fai
20 CLEAN information, and, perchance max,
discoveries which shall overcome natur,
n and make her contribute in some new wa,
f. 70 the wants of maitland possibly in wal
a as notable did the five schools of chemis
. try 10 which Napoleon, under the advice o
|, Taleyrand, assigned the duty of finding
u out how 10 make beet sugar, Offering 900,
Il 600 francs 10 the chemist who should sue
IT coed which straightway brought success
,e and to-day more than one-half the entir
Is sugar product of the whole world is mad
from the beet.
- But suppose no great victory like thi
10 should attend the work of these experiment
Id stations, they must still result III adding I
j. some extent at least, ~ the agriculture
.s products of the country. Dean Swift, on
d. of the ablest and most original of Englis
writers said that whoever could make tw
" ears of corn or two blades of grass gro,
re upon a spot Of ground where only one gre,
ne before would deserve better of mankin
and do more essential service TO his countr
~, than tine whole race of politicians put U
gether Mr. Speaker, this occasion Civ,
Il every member of this house "a chance
ny take himself out from among Dean Swift
at race of politicians and perform an essel
II. tial service u his country, by voting I,
~ this bill If we would deserve well of Il
e American people we shall do it,
AT The bill passed and became law.